Excellent news for the Austrian driver
The sensation came as a Christmas gift. Manfred Stohl and Ilka Minor will be competing with the Peugeot 307 WRC in all 16 rounds of the 2006 FIA World Rally Championship.

Therefore the chances for a top ranking within the driver`s competition will be heightened. For the first time in rally history Austria has a driver who will take part in a complete WRC schedule.

Now for Spain, Corsica and Japan, as well
The complete rally season including all runs of the FIA World Rally Championship – a first for an Austrian driver. Manfred Stohl is about to get acquainted with this part. After 13 runs had already been fixed by December, 15th, the remaining three events in Spain, Corsica and Japan were also taken up into the schedule just one week later. The French tuning wizards from Bozian greenlighted the venture after having checked the availability of the car. The OMV duo Manfred Stohl/Ilka Minor therefore now has 16 chances for winning points in the driver`s WRC.

The right rhythm
The new schedule also offers a realistic opportunity to OMV driver Manfred Stohl for a top ranking in the driver`s WRC. Stohl: “16 rounds seem almost incredible to me. It also offers many advantages. Doing 16 rallies you spend so much time in the car that it will seem like driving to work in the 307 WRC. It also is a matter of rhythm. You get a very good feeling for the car. And if things don`t go so well once you get the opportunity to do better already two or three weeks later on.“

100th WRC run in Argentina
Manfred Stohl 94 WRC runs to his account after season 2005. Therefore he will complete his 100th race in 2006. The OMV driver will celebrate his anniversary at the Rally Argentina (April, 28th to 30th).


Tags: omv, manfred-stohl, peugeot, 307wrc, austria, norway, ilka-minor,